Judy Sheindlin—best known for her decades-long stint on Judge Judy—sparked ire from fans after she officially endorsed former South Carolina Governor and 2024 GOP presidential hopeful Nikki Haley.
In her endorsement, Sheindlin, who presided over small-claims cases on her syndicated show for 25 years, commended Haley as a "whip-smart" leader with impressive "executive credentials" and a successful tenure as governor.
She added:
“I truly think she can restore America and believe she is the future of this great nation.”
The Haley campaign proudly shared the endorsement in a statement, expressing gratitude for the support of the iconic television personality, with Haley herself referring to Sheindlin as a “no-nonsense lady” who has “earned the respect of millions of Americans from her courtroom by being thoughtful, fair, and honest.”
While Sheindlin occasionally delves into politics, having endorsed Michael Bloomberg for president in 2020, her recent endorsement of Haley raises eyebrows given the timing.
Haley's presidential campaign is facing scrutiny, especially after a series of gaffes, including misrepresenting the causes of the Civil War and advocating for schoolchildren to go through metal detectors every morning.
Sheindlin's fans were not impressed.
Haley faces criticism and questions about her viability in the race even though she is gaining on former President Donald Trump in New Hampshire and has seen her profile rise considerably.
Oddly, though Sheindlin expressed her belief that Haley could "restore America," Haley recently came under fire for announcing her intent to grant a presidential pardon to Trump—who faces a daunting array of legal challenges, totaling 91 felony charges across multiple states—if he were to be convicted of a crime.
It's evident—though controversial—that in addressing the prospect of a Trump conviction, Haley emphasized the urgency of pardoning him, envisioning it as a means to shift the nation's focus away from the former President. She reasoned that a pardon would facilitate the country's progression by alleviating the ongoing discourse surrounding Trump.
However, Haey's advocacy for a pardon before the trial for Trump's alleged election interference begins has prompted many, including former New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie, a prominent Trump critic, to cast doubts on her viability.
